At
the 23rd EURONAVAL show to be held from 22 to 26 October 2012 at the
Paris-le Bourget exhibition center, DCNS will unveil several new designs
of submarines and surface vessels. Among them are the new FREMM-ER (for
Extend Range) Frigate dedicated to Air Defense missions and an updated
design for the BRAVE replenishment ship which was first unveiled two
years ago at Euronaval 2010.

The
FREMM-ER was designed with a focus on Air Defense and possibly Anti
Ballistic Missile Defense. The hull and general platform of the vessel
is almost identical to the French Navy's and DCNS' FREMM class. However
the two masts (Herakles radar and electronic warfare) found on the current
FREMM (such as the Aquitaine frigate) is replaced by a new radar by
Thales called SF 500 (or Sea Fire 500). The new Thales radar seems to
be similar in concept to the Lockheed Martin's AEGIS - AN/SPY-1D multi-function
phased-array radar system with its four fixed arrays noticeable on all
4 sides of the main mast.

Contacted by Navy Recognition DCNS and Thales representatives
would not give details on the new radar system, explaining details would
be made public during Euronaval. Regarding the vessel itself however,
DCNS told us that a FREMM-ER would be able to fulfill the exact same
missions as the current FREMM. Indeed, FREMM-ER has the same multi-mission
capabilities as FREMM, in particular extensions capability can be installed
on FREMM-ER such as:
- Increased ASW capabilities with a VDS (variable depth sonar)
- Increased land attack capabilities with MDCN (Scalp Naval by MBDA)

The SETIS modular CMS (Combat Management System) developed by DCNS and
the CIC area can implement new and future innovations as they become
mature. In FREMM-ER, sailors for example will be able to use augmented
reality in the fight against asymmetric threats.

The new BRAVE
replenishment tanker and support vessel. Note the new inverted bow design.
(Picture: DCNS)

At Euronaval 2012, DCNS will be showing an updated design for the BRAVE
class. As you can see in the images above and below, most of the redisgn
work has been focused on the bow and stern of the ship. The bow is now
inverted for better sea-keapping and there is now only one helicopter
spot while the previous design had space for two helicopter spots. The
sole spot is still able to accomodate heavy helicopters however (35
t). There is still space for two helicopters in the hangar.

Developped in association with STX-France (based on the same principles
that made the BPC Mistral class a success), the design should answer
French Navy needs to replace the Durance class. BRAVE will also be available
to international customers.

The
BRAVE main missions include:
» Refuel and support all types of vessels at sea (Aircraft carriers,
large & small surface vessels, submarines);
» Support force projection operations;
» Command and control of maritime operations;
» Support humanitarian operations.

The vessel's defense system is designed to be modular and can be adatped
to customer requirements.